Doing regular field studies is the most important learning activity a landscape painter will ever engage in. This is where we see clearly what the actual colors and values of nature are. Photographs can only give you so much, and they can never match the truth found working in the field.
While many of us spend time in the studio creating large paintings for our collectors and art galleries, we rely heavily on the time we spend painting outdoors, honing our observational skills. Besides that, nature is a never ending source of inspiration for those of us who have discovered the spiritual dimension of what we experience while out there. The thrill of being in a natural setting and seeing, feeling, and experiencing this world with all of our senses, is perhaps the best reward for those lucky enough to have the calling of being an artist.
Like any other discipline, this one comes with a set of skills which must be learned in order to be proficient. Never fall for the fallacious misconception that all art is good art, and needs only express the inner emotions of the artist; even if that artist is a beginner. If that were true, we’d all be concert pianists, even if we can’t play Chopsticks!
That thought doesn’t diminish the true feelings that artists of any level may feel; given time and effort those same artists may blossom into butterflies who become better at expressing their feelings, with the added confidence that mastering a craft truly brings.

My intent here is not to put anyone’s work down, but to point out that this thing we do on canvas only comes with a great deal of dedicated effort. The price of becoming a better landscape painter is our willingness to put in countless hours of discovery in the field and in the studio, countless hours of reading, viewing videos, attending art workshops, along with a willingness to destroy large numbers of our own paintings that don’t measure up. In reality these paintings are just as valuable as the successful ones and should hold a place of honor in our hearts. It’s our “tossers” which often teach us the most about painting, because they tell us what is not going to work in the future, and that’s vitally important.
I once knew a beginning painter who quit my class after only three sessions, claiming “he finally realized” that he just didn’t have what it takes to be a good painter. I think his plan was to be hanging in a gallery by the end of the semester. No matter what I said, I couldn’t convince him otherwise and so he left, defeated and down on himself…what a tragedy!
Yes, that goal can happen, but it’s rare. Putting that kind of pressure on yourself is not only unrealistic, but it will also suck the enjoyment out of your artistic life in an instant. Please don’t do that to yourself, and realize that the art journey is just that, a journey which has no end, but it does have a whole lot of rewards if you are willing to let your path unfold naturally before you. So what if it takes a long time to accomplish your goal? What worthwhile things in this world don’t require time and effort?
Take heart though, if you are willing to put in the work, you can learn to paint canvases you never thought possible. How far you go will depend on a lot of factors, but the joy you will get is guaranteed to reach the stars and back.

We all had to start somewhere and we are all on similar, but different tracks. Some leave the station early and pick up speed quickly, while others leave later and coast along at different speeds. Never compare your artistic successes to those of others; but do make valuable comparisons regarding quality differences, as these assessments are essential to improving your own work. If you’re not willing to do that, I’m afraid that you will be in for a frustrating ride in your landscape painting journey.
There is a rich history of landscape painters that you should discover and explore in order to progress to where you want to be. There are living artists as well, who can teach you vast amounts of painting knowledge. Don’t make the mistake of trying to reinvent the wheel. Your job as a painter is to learn the craft and then add your voice and unique style to the collective whole. Once you’ve become accustomed to the discipline of drawing and painting you can then say something meaningful in your work. That’s where your individuality will come into play … and you have a part to play, if you come at it with a more humble and teachable attitude and don’t let your artistic ego get in the way.
My best advice is to live in the moment and paint that way as well. Savoring the process is your best bet. By that, I mean to be fully immersed in the mechanics of figuring out values, making color choices, deciding on edge qualities, and things of that nature. Don’t be in a race to the finish line, as that will naturally occur anyway – and more successfully if you stay focused on the important stuff.
Good luck and keep plugging away; you will amaze yourself and others as well!
Until next time,
John Hughes
And browse more free articles here at OutdoorPainter.com